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Lens #2
The Volunteer
2096.
Riley Taylor is still alive. Still fighting. Still ensnared in the Service’s trap.
She’s served in battle. She’s killed. She’s watched as her friends have fallen away, either to death or to the brainwashing that forces the government’s agenda into young, hungry minds.
But Riley is one of the few citizens who has seen the inside of the Stilts, the flooded buildings that surround Manhattan. Now that she knows what life is really like on the other side of the wall, she must decide which path to take. She can continue her career as a soldier in the Service, or she can turn spy against the government and begin working with the Volunteers.
Both situations are dangerous. Both could be deadly. And as the clock ticks down to the time when she will need to choose, it’s more than just her own life on the line.
Riley Taylor is still alive. Still fighting. Still ensnared in the Service’s trap.
She’s served in battle. She’s killed. She’s watched as her friends have fallen away, either to death or to the brainwashing that forces the government’s agenda into young, hungry minds.
But Riley is one of the few citizens who has seen the inside of the Stilts, the flooded buildings that surround Manhattan. Now that she knows what life is really like on the other side of the wall, she must decide which path to take. She can continue her career as a soldier in the Service, or she can turn spy against the government and begin working with the Volunteers.
Both situations are dangerous. Both could be deadly. And as the clock ticks down to the time when she will need to choose, it’s more than just her own life on the line.
462 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2019
372 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Cantwell
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 19, 2021
I saw someone gave this one star and wrote a bunch of nonsense to explain why, and my question is... don't they know this is a work of fiction? What the Canadians do, is what the Canadians in Cantwell's imagination will do. Riley and her people are fighting against a government hell bent on taking what isn't theirs and controlling people to do the dirty work for them. Again, it's a world of fiction created by the author for entertainment and who knows, maybe to get you to think about your own moral compass.
Anyway... I really liked the second book in the Lens series, I was really shocked that Riley was thrown into the Burn, but then again, the government seemed to really have it in for her so it wasn't all that surprising. What happened to Alex?
Anyway... I really liked the second book in the Lens series, I was really shocked that Riley was thrown into the Burn, but then again, the government seemed to really have it in for her so it wasn't all that surprising. What happened to Alex?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2019
This series just keeps you hooked. If you like non-stop action packed book then this is for you. This is a wonderful story. This combined with a great world a believable scenario all of this makes a fun read.
I hardly ever give out five stars unless a book just hits me in all the right places. This came close but wasn't quite as good as the first installment. Can't wait to see where the next in the series takes us.
I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
I hardly ever give out five stars unless a book just hits me in all the right places. This came close but wasn't quite as good as the first installment. Can't wait to see where the next in the series takes us.
I received a free copy of the book for an honest review.
October 2, 2022
DNF 20%. This paragraph bothered me:
“As for the rest of the recruits, they are poor and desperate, just as you, yourself were. Just as Prime Williams was. Neither of you had anywhere else to go, and both of you needed a way out. Do you see the way the government played you? Do you think a single Manhattanite signed up for the Service last year? How many will there be this year? No, it is always the starving, scrappy lower class who are targeted. Those videos they make to advertise joining the Service are tailored right to you, to your wildest dreams, making them seem possible when they are anything but.” I was floored. I had never thought of it this way before.
It's because that's from the second book, and this excerpt is from the first:
The more I learned about this place, the more the hope of victory was sucked out of me. This had all been nothing but a trap, laid long ago by the military, desperate for victims to throw at the enemy. It made sense, if I thought about it. Without available food, population control was not only important, but desperately needed. The seas had encroached upon our cities, and getting food to the masses was as difficult as ever, but that wasn’t enough to keep people from breeding. And we were the result. We were the excess. Plucked from the worst cities and towns in the most hard-hit places, they sold us a dream of wealth and glory. And we were suckered, every last one of us.
Soooo it would seem you have thought about this before, Riley....
It's discrepancies like this and a slow pace that makes me say, here we part ways. A few parting positive thoughts: the author has really put a lot of thought into world building and has a great writing style. The books are also well edited.
“As for the rest of the recruits, they are poor and desperate, just as you, yourself were. Just as Prime Williams was. Neither of you had anywhere else to go, and both of you needed a way out. Do you see the way the government played you? Do you think a single Manhattanite signed up for the Service last year? How many will there be this year? No, it is always the starving, scrappy lower class who are targeted. Those videos they make to advertise joining the Service are tailored right to you, to your wildest dreams, making them seem possible when they are anything but.” I was floored. I had never thought of it this way before.
It's because that's from the second book, and this excerpt is from the first:
The more I learned about this place, the more the hope of victory was sucked out of me. This had all been nothing but a trap, laid long ago by the military, desperate for victims to throw at the enemy. It made sense, if I thought about it. Without available food, population control was not only important, but desperately needed. The seas had encroached upon our cities, and getting food to the masses was as difficult as ever, but that wasn’t enough to keep people from breeding. And we were the result. We were the excess. Plucked from the worst cities and towns in the most hard-hit places, they sold us a dream of wealth and glory. And we were suckered, every last one of us.
Soooo it would seem you have thought about this before, Riley....
It's discrepancies like this and a slow pace that makes me say, here we part ways. A few parting positive thoughts: the author has really put a lot of thought into world building and has a great writing style. The books are also well edited.
September 13, 2022
3.5-Second in the series for this post apocalyptic YA installment. The action moves a bit faster in this one that the first but again, Riley still can’t lie and sucks at standing up to the military leaders.
Three cheers for Canada! But Riley insists on saving the good peeps back in the suffering USA and she pays the price over and over.
She starts a revolution. The Burn is quite the invention… the sea is so polluted it’s a trash heap and heaps of trash are scooped then sorted in the burn.. working there is worse than any jail sentence.
Three more in the series.
Lots of survival and escape and Riley learns new skills like swimming and Scuba and grenade lessons etc etc…
Three cheers for Canada! But Riley insists on saving the good peeps back in the suffering USA and she pays the price over and over.
She starts a revolution. The Burn is quite the invention… the sea is so polluted it’s a trash heap and heaps of trash are scooped then sorted in the burn.. working there is worse than any jail sentence.
Three more in the series.
Lots of survival and escape and Riley learns new skills like swimming and Scuba and grenade lessons etc etc…
September 5, 2020
Hella good read right here!
Riley Taylor the girl with no answers but plenty of determination to make things happen, a leader even when she didn’t know she could be and a legend in the making. This book was such a good read and it really makes you think about what nefarious things our governments can do. The characters are likable and realistic they aren’t over dramatized or to far fetched to be believable. The story line just gets better with each book and I look forward to the next one! A definite recommend
Riley Taylor the girl with no answers but plenty of determination to make things happen, a leader even when she didn’t know she could be and a legend in the making. This book was such a good read and it really makes you think about what nefarious things our governments can do. The characters are likable and realistic they aren’t over dramatized or to far fetched to be believable. The story line just gets better with each book and I look forward to the next one! A definite recommend
March 28, 2023
3.5 stars, felt a little stronger than the first as we get further immersed in the world and characters. The part in Canada was engaging, and the Burn . One does sometimes feel that things go awfully easy for Riley at times, and at times very much not so, perhaps more in service to narrative needs than reality, but not to the point of being too irritating. Again some additional copyediting would have been good, there are parts that are somewhat repetitious -- but I want to keep going.
July 8, 2020
This is the second book in the series. It doesn’t disappoint in the action - like the first it’s a page turner. I really enjoyed it. The ending - not at all what I imagined would happen. Good surprise ending.
On to the next one because the end of this one- like the first makes you want to read the next one! Well written!
On to the next one because the end of this one- like the first makes you want to read the next one! Well written!
September 1, 2020
This second book in the series is better than the first. Character development is done well, with Riley maturing and coming into her own with conviction and bravery. Excitement and tension grows with progress through the pages. Other than simple editing faux pas, this dystopian series is shaping up nicely.
November 7, 2022
Call me wimp, but there isn't enough pride in my soul to make the choices Riley did. Paul would have had to throw me in the river to get me to leave. O Canada! Lol I mean I'd try to help from a far.
And constantly being wet and cold sounds miserable. Nope, I'd be eating that chicken, snuggling the cat, DRY. Their feet have got to be so pruned in this world. I'd never survive, I'm a wimp.
And constantly being wet and cold sounds miserable. Nope, I'd be eating that chicken, snuggling the cat, DRY. Their feet have got to be so pruned in this world. I'd never survive, I'm a wimp.
June 21, 2023
What a year for Riley!
The country that Riley is living in is a nightmare! Very scary thought that our world could be reduced to the one that she is subjected to.
She’s grown a lot in her first year of Service, so many things sh and her friends have gone through.
This is a very well written series and I look forward to reading the remainder!
The country that Riley is living in is a nightmare! Very scary thought that our world could be reduced to the one that she is subjected to.
She’s grown a lot in her first year of Service, so many things sh and her friends have gone through.
This is a very well written series and I look forward to reading the remainder!
January 11, 2021
Fantastic and thrilling sequel.
This book was great. Lots of action yet glimpses of satisfying romance between the heroine and her love interest. The reader definitely wants to root for the good guys and see the system fall, the emotions evoked are great.
This book was great. Lots of action yet glimpses of satisfying romance between the heroine and her love interest. The reader definitely wants to root for the good guys and see the system fall, the emotions evoked are great.
June 8, 2022
I never got to finish this book because the birth of my baby🥰 but when I was ready to start reading, I couldn’t really remember this book or had any desire to finish it… I guess that says a lot about it 😅🤷♀️
June 24, 2022
A really good second part to this enjoyable series! I like the main character, a strong female trying to beat the odds! A good dystopian adventure, that never leaves you flat! A good fun read if you like this genre!
January 9, 2024
PG-13 slightly graphic book due to war and fighting and a bit repetitive but it was still good! There was a little more romance in this with Alex and Riley so that was nice, definitely a slow burn romance though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2024
The reality in this is not too far removed from where we are today. Maybe not to the extent of having a lens but our movements are tracked all the time with our phones. The way we live is slowly killing the earth. One way is not better than another but we all need to do better.
October 1, 2019
Full of action
I loved the Alex and Riley parts of the book most. Hoping for much more in book 3.
Give this series a chance if you like dystopians, you won't be sorry.
I loved the Alex and Riley parts of the book most. Hoping for much more in book 3.
Give this series a chance if you like dystopians, you won't be sorry.
February 15, 2021
The VOLUNTEER has a faster pace, keeping me engaged. Riley is thrown into predicaments and set up for failure. Leave no stone.
May 14, 2022
dnf. I loved the 1st book, but I just could not finish this one. It just seemed to drag and drag. At 56% I decided life is too short and moved on.
March 21, 2023
4.5/5 stars 🌟
June 19, 2025
It just got even better! This series has me enthralled I've not been able to put my phone down to stop reading🙈
March 20, 2021
Thought provoking
Liked the strong resilient characters and there quest from tyranny to freedom.
I would highly recommend the whole complete series.
Liked the strong resilient characters and there quest from tyranny to freedom.
I would highly recommend the whole complete series.
April 14, 2021
So exciting!
A very exciting second book in the continuing story of Riley and the choices she has to make for freedom from the government.
Couldn't put this one down. On to book three. Terrorist.
Second read was a listen. Well narrated and love the story. Riley is very idealistic and does not want to listen to her and Alex's Canadian friend. So Riley ends up in a place she has always dreaded.
A very exciting second book in the continuing story of Riley and the choices she has to make for freedom from the government.
Couldn't put this one down. On to book three. Terrorist.
Second read was a listen. Well narrated and love the story. Riley is very idealistic and does not want to listen to her and Alex's Canadian friend. So Riley ends up in a place she has always dreaded.
February 12, 2023
The Volunteer (Lens Book 2)
Riley is a great character. I really like this series. Its totally clean regarding intimacy. There is some death and violence during battle scenes but it's not overly graphic.
Riley is a great character. I really like this series. Its totally clean regarding intimacy. There is some death and violence during battle scenes but it's not overly graphic.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews